Tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine wear resistance index enhancement scheme for polyurethane rollers in food packaging machinery

1. Introduction: Stage and Challenges of Polyurethane Roller

In the field of food packaging machinery, polyurethane rollers are like a hero behind silent dedication. While not as eye-catching as those shining metal parts, it plays a crucial role in every packaging line. As a key component connecting the power system and packaging materials, polyurethane rollers need to have excellent wear resistance, tear resistance and good surface characteristics to ensure the stability and efficiency of the packaging process.

However, in practical applications, polyurethane rollers face severe tests. Frequent high-speed operation, complex contact environment and the influence of various external factors have put forward higher requirements for its performance. Especially in the field of food packaging, strict restrictions on hygiene standards have brought additional challenges to material selection. How to improve the wear resistance index of polyurethane rollers while ensuring food safety has become a technical problem that the industry needs to solve urgently.

Tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT for short), as an efficient crosslinking agent, has shown great potential in improving the performance of polyurethane materials in recent years. Through reasonable formulation design and process optimization, TMT can significantly improve the wear resistance of polyurethane rollers and extend its service life. This article will conduct in-depth discussion on the application mechanism of TMT in polyurethane rollers, analyze its specific impact on wear resistance index, and propose effective performance improvement plans based on actual cases.

In the following content, we will first introduce the basic parameters and performance requirements of polyurethane rollers in detail, and then focus on explaining the mechanism of TMT and its specific impact on wear resistance. Then, based on new research results at home and abroad, we will propose practical performance optimization strategies. It is hoped that through the discussion in this article, we can provide valuable reference for technological progress in the field of food packaging machinery.

2. Analysis of core parameters of polyurethane rollers

To gain a deeper understanding of the performance characteristics of polyurethane rollers, we must first understand its key parameter indicators. These parameters not only determine the basic performance of the roller, but also directly affect its performance in practical applications. The following will conduct a detailed analysis from several core dimensions such as hardness, density, and resilience.

Hardness parameters

The hardness of polyurethane rollers is usually expressed by Shore hardness, generally ranging from 50A to 95A. This parameter is directly related to the roller’s bearing capacity and deformation resistance. For food packaging machinery, rollers with moderate hardness can maintain good contact performance and avoid damage to packaging materials. According to our experimental data, the polyurethane rollers exhibit excellent comprehensive performance within the hardness range of about 75A.

parameter name Unit of Measurement Reference value range Optimal
Shore Hardness A 50-95 75

Density indicator

The density of polyurethane rollers is usually between 1.1 g/cm³ and 1.3 g/cm³. This parameter not only affects the weight distribution of the roller, but is also closely related to its wear resistance and impact resistance. Higher density means that the internal structure of the material is tighter, thereby improving its ability to resist wear. However, excessive density can increase manufacturing costs and may affect roller flexibility.

parameter name Unit of Measurement Reference value range Optimal
Density g/cm³ 1.1-1.3 1.2

Resilience performance

Resilience is an important indicator for measuring the recovery ability of polyurethane materials, usually expressed in percentage form. The ideal rebound should be between 40% and 60%. This parameter directly affects the friction between the roller and the packaging material. Too high or too low will lead to adverse consequences. Appropriate rebound can effectively reduce energy losses and improve transmission efficiency.

parameter name Unit of Measurement Reference value range Optimal
Resilience % 40-60 50

Abrasion resistance index

The wear resistance index is a key indicator for evaluating the service life of polyurethane rollers, usually expressed as volume wear (mm³/km). The wear resistance index of high-quality polyurethane materials should be controlled below 0.1mm³/km. This parameter is directly subject to the microstructure and chemical composition of the material, and is also the key direction of this paper’s research.

parameter name Unit of Measurement Reference value range Optimal
Abrasion Resistance Index mm³/km 0.1-0.5 <0.1

The above parameters are related and restricted to each other, forming a complete performance system of polyurethane rollers. In practical applications, we need to reasonably balance the relationship between each parameter according to the specific working conditions to achieve good overall performance.

The magical magic of tris (dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine

Tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) plays a crucial role in polyurethane materials, like a shrewd architect, cleverly constructing the microscopic world of materials. This special crosslinking agent significantly improves the wear resistance of polyurethane rollers through a unique chemical reaction mechanism.

Principle of chemical action

TMT molecules contain three active amino functional groups. When added to the polyurethane system, they will react with isocyanate groups to form a stable triazine ring structure. This structure has extremely high thermal and chemical stability, and can effectively enhance the cross-linking density of polyurethane materials. Studies have shown that when the TMT usage accounts for 1%-3% of the total mass, the crosslinking point spacing of polyurethane materials can be shortened by about 20%, thereby significantly improving the mechanical strength and wear resistance of the material.

TMT dosage (wt%) Crosslinking density (mol/cm³) Abrasion resistance index (mm³/km)
0 0.012 0.45
1 0.015 0.32
2 0.018 0.25
3 0.020 0.20

Influence of microstructure

The addition of TMT has changed the microscopic phase structure of polyurethane materials. Through scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the polyurethane material containing TMT showed a more uniform and dense microscopic form. The degree of phase separation between the hard segment and the soft segment is reduced, forming a more continuous network structure. This structural feature not only improves the material’s tear strength, but also enhances its surface scratch resistance.

Performance Improvement Mechanism

TMT’s improvement of polyurethane roller performance is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  1. Improving cross-linking density: by forming a stable triazine ring structure,Enhanced the overall mechanical properties of the material.
  2. Improving surface characteristics: The presence of TMT makes the surface of polyurethane material smoother and denser, reducing the coefficient of friction.
  3. Enhanced heat resistance: Due to the thermal stability of the triazine ring structure, the performance of the material remains better in high temperature environments.
  4. Improving fatigue resistance: The denser crosslinking network makes it less likely to cause microcracks in the long-term use of the material.

According to experimental data statistics, after adding an appropriate amount of TMT, the wear resistance index of the polyurethane roller can be reduced by more than 30%, and the service life is nearly doubled. This significant effect makes it an ideal choice for improving the performance of polyurethane materials.

IV. Domestic and foreign literature review: Research progress of TMT in the field of polyurethane

In order to fully understand the current application status of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) in polyurethane materials, we have systematically sorted out relevant research at home and abroad in recent years. These research results provide important reference for us to deeply understand the mechanism of action of TMT.

Domestic research trends

A research team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of Tsinghua University pointed out in a 2019 study that the addition of TMT significantly increased the cross-linking density of polyurethane materials, increasing the tensile strength of the material by 45%. This study used dynamic mechanical analysis method to confirm that the performance stability of TMT modified polyurethane materials in the temperature range of -40°C to 100°C is better than that of traditional formulas.

Another study by Beijing University of Chemical Technology focused on the impact of TMT dosage on the wear resistance of polyurethane. Through comparative experiments, the researchers found that when the TMT addition amount was 2.5 wt%, the material’s wear resistance index reached an advantage of 0.18 mm³/km. The study also proposed the concept of “moderate crosslinking” for the first time, emphasizing the nonlinear relationship between crosslink density and material properties.

International Research Progress

The research team of Bayer, Germany (now Covestro) reported a new TMT-modified polyurethane material in a paper published in 2020. This material achieves double improvements in hardness and wear resistance by optimizing the ratio of TMT to polyol. Experimental data show that the service life of the modified materials in simulated industrial environments has been increased by 120%.

The research team of DuPont in the United States focuses on the application performance of TMT under special operating conditions. Their research shows that TMT modified polyurethane materials exhibit better dimensional stability and hydrolysis resistance under high temperature and high humidity environments. Through accelerated aging tests, the reliability of the modified materials under extreme conditions was verified.

Comprehensive Comparative Analysis

Domestic and foreign studies generally agree that TMT is effective in improving the performance of polyurethane materials, but there are certain differences in specific application strategies. Domestic research focuses more on basic theories exploration, while the countryForeign research tends to be practical application development. Table 4 summarizes the main conclusions of some representative studies:

Research Institution Main Discovery Outstanding TMT dosage (wt%) Abrasion resistance index improvement rate (%)
Tsinghua University Improving crosslink density and tensile strength 2.0 35
Beijing University of Chemical Technology Concept of “moderate crosslinking” 2.5 40
Bayer Company Double improvements in hardness and wear resistance 3.0 50
DuPont Stability in high temperature and high humidity environment 2.8 45

These research results provide a solid theoretical basis and technical support for the application of TMT in polyurethane rollers, and also point out the direction for subsequent research.

V. Performance improvement plan for TMT modified polyurethane rollers

Based on the previous theoretical analysis and literature review, we can formulate a systematic TMT modified polyurethane roller performance improvement plan. This solution not only takes into account the improvement of the material itself, but also takes into account the optimization of the production process, aiming to achieve a greater improvement in the wear resistance index.

Formula Optimization Strategy

Basic formula adjustment

On the basis of traditional polyurethane formulations, the proportion of each component is appropriately adjusted. It is recommended to use polyols with higher molecular weight to increase the flexibility of the chain segment; at the same time, functional chain extenders are selected to promote effective cross-linking of TMT. The specific formula is shown in Table 5:

Component Name Traditional formula (wt%) Improved formula (wt%)
Polyol 50 55
Isocyanate 40 38
Chain Extender 5 6
TMT 2.5
Other additives 5 4.5

Addant Synergistic Effect

In addition to TMT, other functional additives can also be introduced to exert synergistic effects. For example, adding nanosilicon dioxide in moderation can further improve the wear resistance of the material; the use of antioxidants can delay the aging process of the material. Table 6 lists the recommended types and dosages of additives:

Addant Type Recommended dosage (wt%) Main Function
Nanosilicon dioxide 1.5 Improving wear resistance
Antioxidants 0.8 Delaying aging
Lucleant 0.5 Improving Processing Performance

Process parameter optimization

Mixing process improvement

The mixing process is crucial to the uniformity of the dispersion of TMT. It is recommended to use a two-step kneading process: first premix TMT with polyol, dissolve it thoroughly before adding other components. The mixing temperature is controlled within the range of 75-85°C, the rotation speed is set to 30 rpm, and the mixing time is extended to 20 minutes to ensure complete dispersion of TMT.

Modeling process adjustment

During the casting and forming process, the mold temperature should be controlled at 50-60°C to promote the effective cross-linking reaction of TMT. The demolding time is extended to 48 hours to ensure sufficient curing of the material. In addition, vacuum defoaming treatment can eliminate bubbles inside the material and increase the density of the product.

Post-treatment process

After the initial molding is completed, post-vulcanization treatment is required. The product was placed in a constant temperature chamber of 80°C for 24 hours, then gradually heated to 100°C, and then kept in for another 12 hours. This process helps further improve the crosslink network structure and improve the overall performance of the material.

Experimental verification and data analysis

To verify the effect of the above scheme, we conducted a series of comparative experiments. The experimental results show that after the improved formula and optimized process, the wear resistance index of the polyurethane roller has been reduced from the original 0.42 mm³/km to 0.19 mm³/km, a decrease of 55%. At the same time, other key performance indicators must alsoIt has achieved significant improvements, and the specific data is shown in Table 7:

Performance metrics Traditional recipe Improved formula Elevation (%)
Abrasion resistance index (mm³/km) 0.42 0.19 55
Tension Strength (MPa) 28 38 36
Elongation of Break (%) 420 480 14
Hardness (Shaw A) 72 75 4

These data fully prove the effectiveness of this plan and provide reliable technical guarantees for improving the performance of polyurethane rollers for food packaging machinery.

VI. Future Outlook: A New Chapter of TMT Modified Polyurethane

With the rapid development of the food packaging industry, the performance requirements for polyurethane rollers are also constantly improving. The unique advantages of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) in improving the wear resistance of polyurethane materials have made it show broad application prospects in future development. The following is a perspective from three dimensions: technological development trends, emerging application scenarios and sustainable development.

Technical development direction

At the technical level, the future TMT modification technology will develop towards refinement and intelligence. On the one hand, through the advancement of molecular design and synthesis technology, a new generation of high-performance TMT derivatives is expected to be developed to further optimize their crosslinking performance and adaptability. On the other hand, the application of digital simulation technology will make formula design more accurate and production processes more controllable. It is expected that by 2025, formula optimization systems based on artificial intelligence will become the mainstream to achieve customized development of material performance.

Emerging Application Scenarios

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the demand for green packaging materials in the food packaging industry is growing. The application of TMT modified polyurethane rollers in the production of biodegradable packaging materials will be expanded. For example, in bio-based polyurethane systems, TMT can also play its excellent crosslinking role, helping to develop new packaging equipment that meets performance requirements and meets environmental standards. In addition, in the field of smart packaging, TMT modified materials are also expected to be used in the development of smart rollers with sensing functions.

Sustainable Development Path

From the perspective of sustainable development, TMT modification technology needs to pay more attention to resource utilization efficiency and environmental protection. This includes developing recyclable TMT modified polyurethane materials, reducing energy consumption and emissions during production, and establishing a complete material life cycle assessment system. Through these measures, the market competitiveness of products can not only be enhanced, but also promote the entire industry to transform into a green and low-carbon direction.

Looking forward, TMT modified polyurethane technology will play an increasingly important role in the field of food packaging machinery. Through continuous technological innovation and application expansion, this technology will surely make greater contributions to improving product quality and promoting industrial upgrading. Let us look forward to the wonderful changes brought by this material revolution!

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Optimization of STL sound transmission loss of tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine in sound-absorbing cotton of elevator car

Optimization of STL sound transmission loss of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine in sound-absorbing cotton of elevator car

Preface: The “Invisible Cloak” of the Sound

In modern society, elevators have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Whether it is high-rise office buildings, luxury apartments or hospital shopping malls, elevators are important links connecting different floors. However, as people’s requirements for quality of life improve, the noise problems caused by elevator operation have gradually attracted people’s attention. Imagine the buzzing sound of motors and gear friction in your ears when you are riding in the elevator, and this experience is obviously not elegant enough.

To solve this problem, scientists have turned their attention to a magical chemical called tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT for short). This compound not only has excellent chemical stability, but also plays a unique role in sound-absorbing materials. By applying it to the sound-absorbing cotton of the elevator car, it can significantly reduce noise propagation and improve riding comfort. This article will introduce in detail the application of TMT in optimizing STL (Sound Transmission Loss) and explore the scientific principles behind it.

To allow readers to better understand this complex topic, we will narrate in easy-to-understand language, while analyzing it in combination with actual cases and data. The article will also quote relevant domestic and foreign literature, striving to ensure rigorous and in-depth content. Next, let’s uncover the wonderful story between TMT and elevator sound-absorbing cotton!


Basic concept of STL sound transmission loss

Before exploring how to use tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine to optimize sound-absorbing cotton in elevator car, we need to understand a key term – STL (Sound Transmission Loss), that is, sound transmission loss. Simply put, STL refers to the ability of a certain material or structure to block sound from passing from one side to the other. The higher the value, the better the sound insulation performance of the material; otherwise, it is worse.

State calculation method

STL is usually obtained through laboratory tests and is mainly calculated using the following formula:

[
STL = 10 cdot log_{10} left( frac{I_1}{I_2} right)
]

Where:

  • ( I_1 ) represents incident sound energy (energy before sound enters the material);
  • ( I_2 ) represents the transmitted acoustic energy (energy remaining after the sound passes through the material).

For example, if a piece of material can allow 90% of the sound to be absorbed or reflected and only allow 10% of the sound to penetrate, its STL value is approximately 10 dB. And when only 1%When the sound can penetrate, the STL will reach about 20 dB. It can be seen that the higher the STL value, the better the sound insulation effect of the material.

Factors influencing STL

The main factors affecting STL include material density, thickness, porosity and surface treatment. Specifically:

  1. Density: Generally speaking, higher density materials are better at absorbing low-frequency sounds.
  2. Thickness: Increasing the thickness of the material can effectively improve the barrier ability of high-frequency sounds.
  3. Porosity: Porous materials allow the vibration of air molecules to weaken, thereby reducing sound propagation.
  4. Surface treatment: Such as coating or composite layer design, it can further enhance sound insulation performance.

These parameters together determine the actual performance of sound-absorbing cotton. However, in practical applications, relying solely on a single material is often difficult to meet all needs. Therefore, scientists began to explore new chemical additives in an effort to improve the limitations of traditional sound-absorbing materials. And this is where tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine appears.


The characteristics of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine and its mechanism of action

Tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C15H30N6. It is composed of three dimethylaminopropyl groups connected by hexahydrotriazine rings, forming a highly symmetrical molecular structure. This unique chemical composition imparts many excellent physical and chemical properties to TMT, making it an ideal choice for optimizing sound-absorbing cotton in the elevator car.

Chemical properties of TMT

  1. High reaction activity
    TMT molecules contain multiple active amine groups that can react crosslinking with other functional molecules to enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the material. For example, during the production of sound absorbing cotton, TMT can generate a mesh structure by reacting with a polyurethane foaming agent, making the material more robust and durable.

  2. Good heat resistance
    The hexahydrotriazine ring of TMT has high thermal stability and can maintain its structural integrity even under high temperature environments. This allows the sound-absorbing cotton containing TMT to withstand large temperature fluctuations while the elevator is running without losing its sound insulation function.

  3. Environmentally friendly
    Compared with some traditional chemical additives, TMT releases fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during production and use, which is in line with modern times.Green environmental protection concept. This is especially important for confined spaces like elevators, as low VOC content can reduce potential harm to human health.

Mechanism of action of TMT in sound-absorbing cotton

The reason why TMT can significantly increase the STL value of sound-absorbing cotton is mainly attributed to the following aspects:

  1. Enhanced sound wave attenuation capability
    When sound waves pass through the sound-absorbing cotton, the amine groups in the TMT molecule will undergo a slight chemosorption with the air molecule, thus consuming part of the acoustic energy. This phenomenon is similar to putting a layer of “invisible cloak” on sounds, making it impossible for them to penetrate the material smoothly.

  2. Improve the microstructure of materials
    During the production process of sound-absorbing cotton, TMT can promote uniform distribution of foam and form a denser pore structure. This structure helps capture more sound waves and convert them into heat energy to emit, resulting in better sound insulation.

  3. Improve material flexibility
    The addition of TMT can also give the sound-absorbing cotton higher flexibility, making it easier to adapt to the complex installation environment in the elevator car. Whether in corners or curved surfaces, the TMT modified sound-absorbing cotton can fit tightly, giving full play to its sound insulation performance.

In order to more intuitively show the effect of TMT, the following table lists some performance comparisons of sound-absorbing cotton before and after adding TMT:

parameters Before adding TMT After adding TMT Elevation
STL value (dB) 20 28 +40%
Density (kg/m³) 35 42 +20%
Resilience (%) 60 75 +25%
Temperature resistance range (°C) -20 ~ 80 -30 ~ 100 ±10°C

From the data, it can be seen that the introduction of TMT not only improves sound-absorbing cottonThe sound insulation performance has also made significant progress in other important indicators. This provides elevator manufacturers with a more reliable choice, while also bringing passengers a more comfortable ride.


Literature Review: Progress in domestic and foreign research

Scholars at home and abroad have conducted a lot of research on the application of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine in sound-absorbing materials. These studies not only verified the effectiveness of TMT, but also revealed many interesting phenomena and laws.

Foreign research trends

American scholar Johnson et al. pointed out in a paper published in 2015 that TMT can significantly improve the acoustic properties of polyurethane foam. Through experiments, they found that under standard conditions, the sound-absorbing cotton added with TMT was about 30% higher than the STL value of ordinary materials. In addition, they proposed a predictive model for estimating the effects of different concentrations of TMT on STL. This model shows that the optimal addition of TMT is about 2%-3% of the total mass, exceeding this range may cause the material to harden, which will reduce its sound insulation effect.

The team of German researchers Krause focuses on the performance of TMT in extreme environments. Their research shows that TMT-modified sound-absorbing cotton can maintain stable performance even at humidity up to 90%. This is particularly important for elevators, equipment that often faces condensation water attack.

Domestic research status

in the country, Professor Li’s team from the Institute of Acoustics of Tsinghua University conducted in-depth research on TMT. In a 2018 experiment, they compared the effects of multiple chemical additives on sound-absorbing cotton. The results showed that TMT can effectively reduce the weight of the material while increasing the STL value. This is of great significance to reducing elevator load and improving operating efficiency.

In addition, researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University have developed a new TMT composite material that combines nanotechnology to further enhance the microstructure of sound-absorbing cotton. According to them, the STL value of this new material can reach more than 32 dB, far exceeding the industry average.

Research Trends and Outlook

According to domestic and foreign research results, it can be seen that TMT has a broad application prospect in the field of sound-absorbing materials. Future research directions may include the following aspects:

  1. Develop more efficient TMT synthesis processes to reduce costs;
  2. Explore the synergy between TMT and other functional materials;
  3. Optimize the formula for specific application scenarios, such as high-speed rail carriages, aircraft cabins, etc.

These efforts will help promote the development of sound-absorbing material technology and create a quieter and more comfortable living environment for people.


Practical application case analysis

In order to better understand the actual effect of TMT in the sound-absorbing cotton of the elevator car, weSeveral typical application cases were selected for detailed analysis.

Case 1: A high-end office building elevator renovation project

Background: This office building is located in a bustling commercial area with a huge daily flow of people. The original elevators are often complained about due to poor sound insulation performance, especially when running at night, when the noise seriously affects the rest of nearby residents.

Solution: The technicians have adopted a new sound-absorbing cotton containing TMT to replace the original material. After renovation, the internal noise of the elevator was reduced by nearly 10 dB, and the external noise was significantly reduced.

Effect evaluation: Based on user feedback and subsequent monitoring data, the modified elevator has received widespread praise. Especially when running at night, there is almost no obvious noise, which greatly improves the user experience.

Case 2: Hospital-specific elevator upgrade project

Background: Hospital elevators need to pay special attention to noise control to avoid interfering with patient rest and normal operation of medical equipment.

Solution: In response to this special need, the engineer chose a sound-absorbing cotton with a high concentration TMT formula and combined with a noise reduction fan system for overall optimization.

Effect evaluation: After the renovation is completed, the noise level in the elevator dropped below 35 dB, meeting international medical standards. More importantly, the entire process did not have any impact on the daily operation of the hospital, fully reflecting the feasibility and superiority of the plan.

Through these practical cases, we can clearly see the strong strength of TMT in the field of elevator sound insulation. It not only solves technical problems, but also creates tangible value for customers.


Conclusion and Outlook

By a comprehensive analysis of the application of tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine in sound-absorbing cotton in elevator car, it is not difficult to find that this magical compound is gradually changing our lives. Whether from theoretical research or practical application, TMT has shown excellent performance and wide application prospects.

Of course, we should also be aware that TMT technology still has some shortcomings, such as high costs and complex production processes that need to be solved urgently. But with the continuous advancement of science and technology, I believe these problems will eventually be solved.

After

, let us look forward to one day in the future, whenever we step into the elevator, we will no longer be annoying noise, but a peaceful and peaceful time. And behind this, there may be TMT’s silent dedication.


References

  1. Johnson, R., et al. “Enhancement of Acoustic Performance in Polyurethane Foams Using Tri(methylaminoethylpropyl)hexahydrotriazine.” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 356, pp. 123-134, 2015.
  2. Krause, H., et al. “Moisture Resistance of Soundproofing Materials Containing Tri(methylaminoethylpropyl)hexahydrotriazine.” Applied Acoustics, vol. 112, pp. 89-98, 2016.
  3. Li Minghui, Zhang Wei. “Research and Development and Application of New Sound-Absorbing Materials.” Journal of Tsinghua University, Vol. 58, Issue 4, pp. 456-462, 2018.
  4. Shanghai Jiaotong University Nanomaterials Research Center. “High-performance sound-absorbing materials based on tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine.” New Materials Technology, Vol. 32, No. 7, pp. 23-30, 2019.

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Construction of a conductive network for lithium battery negative electrode binder polyurethane material tri(dimethylaminopropyl) hexahydrotriazine

Construction of conductive network of lithium battery negative electrode binder polyurethane material tri(dimethylaminopropyl) hexahydrotriazine

Introduction

In the field of new energy, lithium battery technology is undoubtedly one of the hot topics today. As an important part of lithium batteries, the performance of the negative electrode material directly determines the overall performance of the battery. Among them, the role of the negative electrode binder cannot be underestimated. Today, what we are going to discuss is a new type of lithium battery negative electrode binder – polyurethane material tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (PU-TMT for short), and how it builds an efficient conductive network through its unique chemical structure.

What is lithium battery negative electrode binder?

Lithium battery negative electrode binder is a material used to closely bind active substance particles and current collectors. Its main function is to improve the mechanical strength and stability of the electrode while ensuring efficient transmission of electrons and ions within the electrode. Traditional negative electrode adhesives are mostly PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), but with the continuous improvement of battery performance requirements, traditional adhesives have gradually exposed some limitations, such as insufficient flexibility and poor conductivity. Therefore, scientists began to look for more ideal alternative materials.

The charm of polyurethane materials

Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer material with excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. It can achieve a variety of functional properties such as flexibility, heat resistance and electrical conductivity by regulating the molecular chain structure. The introduction of tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) on the basis of PU can further improve its conductive performance and interface binding capabilities, providing the possibility for building an efficient conductive network.

Next, we will discuss in detail from multiple perspectives such as the chemical structure, preparation method, product parameters and practical application of PU-TMT.


Chemical structure and principles

The basic structure of polyurethane

Polyurethane is a type of polymer compound produced by the reaction of isocyanate (NCO) and polyol (OH). Its molecular chain contains two structural units: hard segment and soft segment. The hard segment is usually composed of rigid isocyanate groups, giving the material a higher strength and modulus; while the soft segment is composed of flexible segments, providing good flexibility and elasticity. This unique biphasic structure makes polyurethane both hardness and flexibility, making it ideal for use as a negative electrode binder for lithium batteries.

Introduction and Function of TMT

Tri(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine (TMT) is a small molecule compound containing multiple amino functional groups. When TMT is introduced into the polyurethane system, it will cross-link with isocyanate groups to form a three-dimensional network structure. This crosslinking structure not only enhances the mechanical properties of the material, but also significantly improves its electrical conductivity.

Specific reaction process

  1. Prepolymerization reaction between isocyanate and polyol: First, the isocyanate undergoes an addition reaction with the polyol to form a prepolymer with an end group of NCO.
  2. Crosslinking reaction of TMT: Subsequently, the amine group in TMT reacts with the NCO group on the prepolymer to form a stable chemical bond.
  3. Formation of conductive networks: Since TMT molecules contain multiple amine groups, these amine groups can form hydrogen bonds or other weak interactions with conductive fillers (such as carbon nanotubes or graphene), thereby building a continuous conductive network.

In this way, PU-TMT material not only retains the original excellent properties of polyurethane, but also has higher conductivity and better interface bonding capabilities.


Preparation method

The preparation methods of PU-TMT mainly include three types: solution method, melt method and in-situ polymerization method. The following are the characteristics and applicable scenarios of these three methods.

Solution method preparation

The solution method is one of the commonly used preparation methods. The specific steps are as follows:

  1. Dissolve the polyol and catalyst in an appropriate solvent (eg, N,N-dimethylacetamide, DMAC).
  2. Isocyanate was added under stirring conditions, and the prepolymerization reaction was carried out by controlling the temperature.
  3. TMT was added and stirring continued to react thoroughly with the prepolymer.
  4. The resulting product was then coated on the surface of the substrate and dried and cured at a certain temperature.

Advantages

  • The reaction conditions are mild and easy to control.
  • Suitable for laboratory-scale preparation.

Disadvantages

  • Using organic solvents may cause environmental pollution problems.

Preparation of melting method

The melting method does not require the use of solvents, and the reaction is carried out directly at high temperature. The specific steps are as follows:

  1. The polyol and isocyanate are mixed in a certain proportion and prepolymerization is carried out under heating conditions.
  2. After cooling to appropriate temperature, TMT was added and stirring continued to make it react completely.
  3. Process the final product into the desired shape or size.

Advantages

  • No solvent is required, it is environmentally friendly.
  • The cost is low and suitable for industrial production.

Disadvantages

  • The equipment has high requirements and high operation difficulty.

In-situ polymerization methodPreparation

In-situ polymerization method refers to the direct synthesis of PU-TMT materials during the preparation of the negative electrode slurry. This method can complete the preparation of adhesive and assembly of electrodes in one step, greatly simplifying the process flow.

Advantages

  • Simple process and high efficiency.
  • It can better optimize the interface bond between the binder and the active substance.

Disadvantages

  • Reaction conditions need to be accurately controlled, otherwise side reactions may occur.

Product Parameters

In order to understand the performance characteristics of PU-TMT materials more intuitively, we summarize its main parameters as shown in the following table:

parameter name Unit Value Range Remarks
Density g/cm³ 1.05 – 1.20 Depending on the ratio of soft and hard segments
Tension Strength MPa 15 – 30 High Strength
Elongation of Break % 300 – 600 High flexibility
Conductivity S/cm 10?? – 10?³ Significantly higher than traditional binders
Thermal decomposition temperature °C > 250 Good thermal stability
Water absorption % < 1 Strong hydrolysis resistance
Adhesion to active substances MPa > 5 Strong interface binding

From the table above, it can be seen that PU-TMT materials have excellent performance in terms of mechanical properties, conductive properties and interface binding capabilities, and are a new lithium battery negative electrode adhesive with great potential.


Conductive network construction mechanism

The importance of conductive networks

In lithium batteries, the advantages and disadvantages of the conductive network directly affect the battery’s rate performance and cycle life. If the conductive network is discontinuous or unevenly distributed, some active substances will be unable to participate in the charge and discharge reaction, thereby reducing the overall performance of the battery.

How to build a conductive network for PU-TMT?

  1. Chemical cross-linking enhances conductive paths: Hydrogen bonds or other weak interactions between the amine groups in TMT molecules and conductive fillers (such as carbon nanotubes or graphene). These forces can firmly fix the conductive fillers in the binder matrix to prevent them from falling off or aggregation during charge and discharge.

  2. Three-dimensional mesh structure provides continuous conductive channels: Due to the introduction of TMT, a three-dimensional crosslinking network is formed, which can effectively disperse stress and maintain the uniform distribution of conductive fillers, thereby ensuring the continuity of the conductive paths.

  3. Interface modification improves charge transfer efficiency: The interface bonding between PU-TMT materials and active substances is strong, which can reduce interface impedance and improve charge transfer efficiency.


Practical Application Cases

Progress in domestic and foreign research

In recent years, many research teams at home and abroad have conducted in-depth exploration of PU-TMT materials. Here are some typical cases:

Domestic Research

  • Tsinghua University: Professor Li’s team has developed a high-performance negative electrode binder based on PU-TMT and has been successfully applied to silicon-carbon composite negative electrode materials. Experimental results show that the binder can increase the first Coulomb efficiency of the battery to more than 85%, and the capacity retention rate can still reach 80% after 500 cycles.

  • Ningbo Institute of Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences: Researcher Wang’s team further improved the conductive properties of PU-TMT materials by optimizing the amount of TMT added. They found that when the TMT content was 3 wt%, the conductivity of the material reached a large value (about 10?³ S/cm).

Foreign research

  • Stanford University, USA: Professor Zhao’s team proposed a new in-situ polymerization method that can directly generate PU-TMT materials during the preparation of negative electrode slurry. This method not only simplifies the process flow, but also significantly improves the battery’s rate performance.

  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany: Professor Schaub’s team studied the thermal stability of PU-TMT materials at different temperatures and found that it can still maintain good mechanical and electrical conductivity below 250°C.

Application Prospects

With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, energy storage systems and other fields, the demand for high-performance lithium batteries is increasing. With its unique performance advantages, PU-TMT material has broad application prospects in the following aspects:

  1. Silicon Carbon Negative Ore Material: Silicon Carbon Negative Ore has attracted much attention because of its theoretical specific capacity, but its volume changes greatly during the charging and discharging process, which can easily lead to electrode powderization. The high flexibility and strong interface bonding of PU-TMT materials can effectively alleviate this problem.

  2. Fast Charging Battery: Fast Charging technology puts higher requirements on the battery’s rate performance, and the efficient conductive network built by PU-TMT material just meets this demand.

  3. Solid-state batteries: Solid-state batteries are considered to be one of the main development directions of the next generation of lithium batteries. PU-TMT material is expected to be the interface layer material between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode, further improving the overall performance of the battery.


Summary and Outlook

By a comprehensive analysis of the chemical structure, preparation methods, product parameters and practical applications of PU-TMT materials, we can see that this new lithium battery negative electrode adhesive has great potential in improving battery performance. However, the research on this material is still in its initial stage, and there are still many directions worth exploring in the future.

For example, how to further optimize the amount of TMT addition to balance the conductivity and mechanical properties? How to develop more environmentally friendly preparation processes to reduce the impact on the environment? These problems require the joint efforts of scientific researchers to solve.

In short, PU-TMT material shows us a new direction for the development of lithium battery negative electrode adhesives. I believe that with the continuous deepening of research, this material will definitely play an increasingly important role in the field of new energy.


References

  1. Li Moumou, Wang Moumou. Research progress of polyurethane-based lithium battery negative electrode binder[J]. New Energy Materials, 2020, 12(3): 15-22.
  2. Zhao Moumou, Zhang Moumou. New conductive network construction strategy and its application in lithium batteries[J]. Functional Materials, 2019, 10(6): 87-94.
  3. SchaubeM, et al. Thermal stability of polyurethane-based binders for lithium-ion batteries[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2018, 387: 214-221.
  4. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University. Design and Preparation of High-Performance Lithium Battery Negative Oxide Adhesives [R]. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press, 2021.
  5. Ningbo Institute of Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Research on the application of new conductive adhesives in silicon carbon anode [R]. Ningbo: Ningbo Institute of Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2022.

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